Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) and Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) on Monday demanded the restoration of the caretaker government (CG) system, saying a neutral and fair election is impossible without it.
A nine-member BJP delegation met with President Zillur Rahman at his official residence Bangabhaban for about an hour till 1:00pm.
BJP Chairman Andalib Rahman Partho urged the president to take steps to reinstate the caretaker system to ensure fair polls.
In response, the president said he does not have the constitutional power to take steps towards CG restoration.
Andalib requested the president to pick up the initiative to reinstate the caretaker system just like he initiated the dialogue with political parties to appoint a new chief election commissioner and election commissioners based on their recommendations.
When the president asked for recommendations for election commissioners from the party delegates, BJP said they were not interested in suggesting names, but want the caretaker system back.
During their dialogue with the president, Islami Andolan leaders stressed that the caretaker government system should be restored before the appointment of a new EC.
A delegation of IAB led by Mosaddek Ali Nadani met with the president between 11:00am and the noon.
